Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Binge Eating Disorder (BED): Understanding the Connection
How we at Complete Dietetics Can Support You
For many people with ADHD, food can feel like both a comfort and a struggle. If you’ve ever searched “ADHD binge eating how to stop” or “Why do people with ADHD binge eat?”, you’re not alone. ADHD and binge eating can often occur together, so let’s take a closer look at this connection.
At Complete Dietetics, we specialise in supporting people with both ADHD and binge eating concerns, including Binge Eating Disorder (BED). This blog explores why these two conditions are connected, what the research says, and most importantly, what can help.
ADHD and Binge Eating: Why the Link Matters
Research shows higher rates of disordered eating behaviours, including binge eating, among neurodivergent individuals with ADHD. Understanding this connection can replace shame with self-compassion and guide you toward effective, evidence-based care.
Does ADHD Cause Binge Eating Disorder (BED)?
ADHD does not directly cause BED, but they are related. Estimates suggest that roughly 30% of people with BED may also meet criteria for ADHD.
Shared traits that may present with ADHD and BED include:
Impulsivity and difficulty pausing once an urge to eat is triggered
Emotional regulation challenges such as stress, frustration, and boredom
Executive functioning difficulties like planning, organisation, and meal prep
Why Might A Person With ADHD Binge Eat, or also have BED?
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Why Might A Person With ADHD Binge Eat, or also have BED? 〰️
Dopamine and reward-seeking: The ADHD brain has differences in dopamine regulation. Highly palatable foods (high in sugar, fat, or salt) provide a quick dopamine boost, which can reinforce binge eating (Volkow et al., 2017).
Impulse control: ADHD is linked with higher impulsivity, making it harder to pause once an urge to eat is triggered.
Emotional regulation: A person with ADHD may struggle with intense emotions. Food can temporarily soothe feelings like boredom, frustration, or stress.
Irregular eating: Skipping meals or forgetting to eat due to distractibility can lead to strong biological hunger later, which fuels binge episodes.
Emotional Eating vs. Binge Eating Disorder (BED) in ADHD
Emotional eating is common in ADHD, where food is used as a coping tool for stress, restlessness, or overwhelm. Unlike BED, emotional eating may not always involve large amounts of food, but it can still feel distressing and out of control.
What Helps ADHD and Binge Eating, or BED?
Improving binge eating isn’t about willpower—it’s about support and strategy. Progress often looks like fewer binge episodes over time, greater sense of control, improved energy, and more self-compassion.
While complete elimination of binges isn’t an overnight process, progress often looks like; utilising neuroaffirming strategies to reduce binge episodes over time, achieve a greater sense of control around food, and improved self-compassion and reduced guilt. An example of how our dietitians may support you through this journey includes:
Nutritional Rehabilitation
Regularity: Establishing a realistic and enjoyable meal and snack routine, which is neuroaffirming and works with any sensory challenges.
Adequacy: Ensuring energy and nutrient needs are met.
Variety, Eating socially, Spontaneity: Gradual steps toward food flexibility and trust.
ADHD-Friendly Practical Strategies
External structure (reminders, visual cues, meal prep support).
Quick, balanced food options that work with executive functioning challenges.
Sustainable habit-stacking: pairing eating with an existing routines (e.g., medications + breakfast)
Building Coping Skills (Beyond Food)
Practising mindfulness or grounding strategies to pause before eating.
Support in learning alternative ways to manage emotions beyond food.
Collaborative Care
Dietitians, Psychologists, GPs, and Psychiatrists work together to optimise outcomes.
Case study: Breaking the Diet-Binge Cycle with ADHD
A client in their 30s had spent years cycling between restrictive diets and binge episodes, which left them feeling frustrated and stuck. Their ADHD diagnosis helped explain patterns of impulsivity and skipped meals that triggered binges. By focusing on regular, adequate eating, using practical reminders, and building simple routines, they reduced binge frequency and regained trust in their body’s signals.
Case study: Tackling Emotional Eating and Night-Time Binges
John, a university student with ADHD, often skipped meals during the day and found himself binge eating late at night when hunger caught up. Together, we worked on building more structure into his eating with quick, ADHD-friendly strategies. His favourite hack was using phone reminders as a cue to eat during the day, and if he was short on time, he kept a few balanced, ready-to-go snacks with him. Over time, his binges reduced, his energy improved, and food began to feel like nourishment and support rather than a source of stress.
Key Takeaway: Freedom from the ADHD-Binge Cycle Is Possible
If you live with ADHD and binge eating or BED, know that you do not have to face your challenges alone. Understanding the neurobiology behind your eating behaviours can replace shame with self-compassion. With the right strategies and support, freedom from the binge-cycle and BED is possible.
Support and Rebates in Australia
Through a GP-led Eating Disorder Management Plan (EDMP), individuals diagnosed with Binge Eating Disorder (BED) may be eligible for Medicare rebates for 20 dietitian sessions per year. We support clients across Australia via our secure telehealth platform, so you can access compassionate, specialised support from the comfort of your home.
Support & Rebates in Australia
Through a GP-led Eating Disorder Management Plan (EDMP), individuals diagnosed with Binge Eating Disorder (BED) may be eligible for Medicare rebates for 20 dietitian sessions. If someone does not qualify for a EDMP, then a GP Chronic Condition Management Plan (GPCCMP) is another subsidy option whereby up to 5 sessions to a dietitian per calendar year can be rebated via Medicare.
We support clients across Australia via our secure telehealth platform, so you can access compassionate, specialised support from the comfort of your home.
Our Expert Team
Emma Gore, our Founder and Director, leads with experience in eating-disorder care and neurodiversity-informed nutrition, creating a calm, judgement-free space for meaningful change. Darcy Jongebloed is an experienced eating disorder dietitian who specialises in behaviour-focused, non-diet approaches that rebuild eating structure, reduce binge cycles, and support ADHD-friendly routines. Isabelle Hum brings expertise across women’s health and eating disorders—especially helpful when hormones and busy schedules intersect with appetite and executive function.
Together, we offer not only evidence-based care but lived experiences and the understanding and reassurance clients need to navigate Binge Eating Disorder, ADHD-related eating challenges, and everything in between, with practical, step-by-step strategies you can actually use on your busiest days.
Frequently asked questions about ADHD & BED
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ADHD and BED are linked through shared traits such as impulsivity, emotional regulation difficulties, and differences in the brain’s dopamine reward system. People with ADHD are more likely to use food for comfort or stimulation, which can increase the connection with binge eating.
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No- not everyone with ADHD develops BED. However, research shows that ADHD may increase the risk of disordered eating behaviours. Factors such as skipped meals, impulsive eating, or using food to manage emotions can make binge eating more likely in people with ADHD.
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Helpful strategies include:
Regular eating patterns to prevent extreme hunger
ADHD-friendly routines such as meal reminders, visual cues, or quick food options
Mindfulness and coping tools for stress and emotions
Collaborative care, working with dietitians, psychologists, psychiatrists and GPs
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If you qualify for an Eating Disorder Management Plan (EDMP) you may be entitled to 20 Medicare subsidised visits to see a dietitian. If you do not qualify for this plan, a GP Chronic Condition Management Plan (GPCCMP) is available which can provide up to 5 Medicare subsidised visits to see a dietitian.
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Movement can improve mood, reduce stress, and support ADHD symptom management by boosting dopamine and focus. Incorporating enjoyable, sustainable movement can be a helpful tool alongside nutrition and psychological therapy.
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There is no single “anti-binge” food, but balanced and regular eating helps stabilise appetite and cravings. Some of the things we focus on are:
Protein-rich foods (lean meat, eggs, legumes, dairy) to support satiety, increased neurotransmitter needs with ADHD.
Carbohydrate foods (whole grains, fruits, vegetables) provide the energy to our body and brain, without regular carbs brain function can become impaired and worsen ADHD symptoms.
Healthy fats (avocado, nuts, olive oil) are an important structural component of the brain.
Regular hydration since thirst can sometimes mimic hunger cues.
FAQs - Complete Dietetics
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At Complete Dietetics, our Accredited Practising Dietitians specialise in six core areas of nutrition. See our full list of services and find the area that best fits your needs.
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You do not need a GP referral to book with us. During registration, we’ll ask for details of any doctors or specialists involved in your care so we can coordinate with your healthcare team (with your permission). For your first appointment, please bring or forward any relevant information, such as past medical history, test/scans results, current medications.
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Yes. Our Accredited Practising Dietitians provide secure telehealth dietitian consultations via video across all Australian states and territories. Enjoy the same personalised, evidence-based care from the comfort of your home—no referral needed.
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Our home clinic is at 85 McKillop Street, Geelong VIC 3220. We’re open Monday to Friday, 8am–5pm (with after-hours appointments available by request)
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Yes, we provide home visits for NDIS participants who will benefit most from our specialised care, including tube-fed clients and those with MS or neurological conditions. Currently, we offer home visits in the Geelong region and Inner South East Suburbs of Melbourne, within a 30-minute travel distance. Please check with reception to see if you/your participant fall within our home visit locations.